Greco-Persian War

Events

Start of Greco-Persian War

Greek freedom fighters revolt against Persian tyrants, "accidentally" burn down a Persian temple. Darius is outraged, plans to strike back at all of Greece

Invasion of Naxos, Official Start of War

492 BC

Mardonius leads an invasion force through Naxos, burns it to the ground. Marks first Persian invasion of Greece.

Battle of Marathon

490 BC

Athenians hand Persia first ever defeat under the leadership of Militades on the shores of Marathon. Much debate going into the battle whether to meet the Persians at the coast, or fight in Athens. This battle is seen as one of the most important moments in history, if the Greeks had lost, Western civilization would have never developed.

Battle of Salamis

480 BC

This battle was fought after the the Greek retreat from Artemisium. The Greeks lured the Persians into the narrow straits of Salamis, where they then proceeded to ram the oversized Persian ships, with the small sturdy Greek triremes. This flaw in the Persian fleet was exploited by the brilliant Greek mind, Themistocles. Turning point in the war for the Greeks, Persian fleet was crippled after this battle.

Battle of Thermopylae and Artemisium

480 B.C

The battle of Artemisium (August 480 BC) was an inconclusive naval battle that was fought on the same three days as the battle of Thermopylae, and that ended when the Greek fleet retreated after learning of the Persian victory at Thermopylae

Battle of Mycale

479 BC

Greeks assemble a huge fleet and catch the resting Persians on the beach that were hoping to avoid a battle and slaughter them. This would be one of two battles that would end the Persian land invasion force.

Battle of Platea

479 B.C

The Battle of Plataea was the final land battle during the second Persian invasion of Greece. Mardonius and the Persians face a large Greek land force, where the Greeks initially extend to far and order a retreat due to miscommunication with the lines, Mardonius foolishly orders an advance of Persian infantry, only for the Greeks to stop in their places and cut them down, ending the Second Invasion Force.

Delian League

478 BC

WThe Delian League, founded in 478 BC,[1] was an association of Greek city-states, with the number of members numbering between 150 and 330 under the leadership of Athens, whose purpose was to continue fighting the Persian Empire after the Greek victory in the Battle of Plataea at the end of the Second Persian invasion of Greece.Would later be a source of conflict between the Greek colonies after Athens would begin to act imperialistically.

Persia Land Force and Sea Force Threat to Greece Eliminated

478 B.C

Persia's main invasion force from the land and the sea is wiped out at the battles of Platea, Mycale, and Salamis. Persians, including Xerxes, have retreated back home to Persia while Persian general Mardonius stays and gets cut down by the Greeks

Peace of Callias

449 BC

Both Persia and Athens come to an agreement to end the conflict. Persia gives back Ionian colonies back to Greece, marks the end of the dispute of Greco-Persian Wars.